The rating system has gone through additional changes recently with the addition of psychotropic medications for short and long-stay admissions as an additional quality indicator.
Use of the life participation approach for those with dementia
By
Becky Khayum, MS, CCC-SLP
Mar 04, 2016
How can SLPs help to improve quality of life in this population, from diagnosis throughout the progression of the disease?
What DONs wish administration knew
By
Jackie Cochrane, RN
Mar 02, 2016
Coordinating staffing is a full-time job.
Honoring dietary choices
By
Renee Kinder
Feb 17, 2016
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to navigating difficult decisions related to PO diet intake.
CMS can do better on infection prevention and control
By
Sue Peschin
Jan 11, 2016
In addition to infections harming residents, nursing facility staff is often occupationally exposed to infectious diseases.
When making a call has life and death consequences – for staff
Dec 16, 2015
As long-term care administrators, we have a responsibility to inform employees about available resources, and provide them with the tools needed to identify domestic violence among co-workers.
The physiatrist’s role in post-acute rehabilitation
By
Steve M. Gnatz, M.D.
Dec 09, 2015
In the IRF environment, it is mandated by federal regulation that the rehabilitation physician performs several key functions. It is not specified that this doctor necessarily be a physiatrist, but only...
The skilled eye of a speech pathologist
By
Renee Kinder
Nov 16, 2015
The Medicare Benefit Policy Manual provides guidance for rehabilitation professionals on criteria for reasonable and necessary skilled services which include: Following Evidenced Based Practice Patterns:...
Why is it so easy to ignore Medicare improper payments?
By
Kristin Walter
Oct 28, 2015
Recovery auditors corrected more than $2.57 billion in improper payments for FY 2014 – representing 5% of the $46 billion in wasted taxpayer dollars the program lost in a comparable period to fraud,...
Understanding mild dementia
By
Renee Kinder
Oct 23, 2015
Providing care to individuals with dementia can be a daunting, yet rewarding experience for caregivers in long term care communities.